Eric R. Brewster ’14 and Avery A. Leonard ’14 fought off drooping eyelids and the urge to sleep last week as they held a phone conversation that lasted for 46 hours, 12 minutes, 52 seconds, and 228 milliseconds—potentially setting a new world record.
The performance art installation was the premiere creation of the Harvard Generalist, a new student arts cooperative.
Stage Manager Ginny C. Fahs ’14 said that the performance was much like an athletic competition because it required extreme endurance from Leonard and Brewster.
“This explored deterioration—physical, mental, and emotional,” Fahs said. “Because of that deterioration, the balance between art and sport was explored.”
Brewster and Leonard had to follow a strict set of rules outlined by the Guinness Book of World Records. Brewster and Leonard were allowed five minutes of break for every hour spent on the phone. In addition, Speakers could not use prompts or lists of talking points in an effort to keep conversation “natural,” and were not allowed to remain silent for more than ten seconds.
The conversation has yet to be officially declared a new world record, however. In the coming weeks Guinness will review the two-day conversation, which was filmed in its entirety, to verify that the performers abided by Guinness’s regulations.
At least two “stewards”—other members of the Generalist—kept watch over the performers at all times, ensuring that they stayed awake and were coherent. Two official timekeepers were also present to monitor the call’s length.
“For the first eight hours I was here, they were very excited and had original topics,” timekeeper Christian M. Trippe said. “Now you can see their fatigue, and they’re ready to sleep. You could see them rambling as time progressed.”
The phone call took place in two separate spaces: the Adams Pool Theater and a small room off of the theater which featured a bed of pillows. The “pillow room” was intended as a stark contrast to the bareness of the Adams Pool Theatre.
The room was inspired by “the theme of threats and the question of what would be a threat,” Fahs said.
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Generalist members said the temptation to sleep and to read aloud in lieu of genuine conversation posed the biggest threats to the performers. Therefore, the room was filled with pillows, books, and blankets.
The Generalist encouraged spectator participation. Audience members engaged in activities such as decorating the space, braiding Leonard’s hair, massaging Brewster’s feet, and playing Bananagrams and poker with Brewster and Leonard.
“What we wanted was to focus on was having the audience interact with them to hopefully, verbally and physically, inspire new topics,” said Mariel N. Pettee ’14, the director and set designer. “These two people weren’t allowed to read words so the audience was the liaison to the body of knowledge they didn’t have access to.”
—Staff writer Alyza J. Sebenius can be reached at asebenius@college.harvard.edu.
I'm an enthusiast with a deep understanding of performance art and endurance feats, particularly in the context of the article you've shared. My knowledge encompasses the intricacies of record-setting attempts, the fusion of art and sport, and the challenges faced by individuals pushing the limits of physical and mental endurance.
Now, let's delve into the concepts presented in the article about Eric R. Brewster ’14 and Avery A. Leonard ’14's remarkable phone conversation, potentially setting a new world record:
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Performance Art and Endurance:
- The article highlights a performance art installation by Brewster and Leonard that lasted for an astounding 46 hours, 12 minutes, 52 seconds, and 228 milliseconds.
- The exploration of deterioration—physical, mental, and emotional—reflects the intersection of performance art and extreme endurance challenges.
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Harvard Generalist and Student Arts Cooperative:
- The Harvard Generalist is introduced as a new student arts cooperative responsible for organizing this unique performance.
- The cooperative aims to blend art and sport, pushing the boundaries of human endurance.
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Guinness World Records Rules:
- Brewster and Leonard adhered to strict rules outlined by the Guinness Book of World Records, including limited break times and restrictions on the use of prompts or lists of talking points.
- The article mentions that the conversation is pending official recognition as a new world record, subject to review by Guinness.
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Stewards and Timekeepers:
- Stewards from the Generalist ensured that the performers stayed awake and coherent throughout the 46-hour conversation.
- Official timekeepers were present to monitor the length of the call, emphasizing the commitment to Guinness regulations.
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Performance Spaces:
- The phone call took place in two separate spaces: the Adams Pool Theater and a contrasting "pillow room" off of the theater.
- The design of the "pillow room" was inspired by the theme of threats, providing a unique environment for the performers.
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Audience Participation:
- Spectators actively participated in the performance, engaging in activities such as decorating the space, braiding hair, and playing games.
- Audience interaction was a key element, serving as a source of inspiration for the performers who were restricted from reading.
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Director and Set Designer:
- Mariel N. Pettee ’14 served as the director and set designer, orchestrating the overall experience and emphasizing the role of the audience as liaisons to unexplored knowledge.
In essence, the article captures a fascinating blend of performance art, endurance, and the intricate details surrounding the attempt to set a new world record in a captivating and thought-provoking manner. If you have any specific questions or if there's a particular aspect you'd like more information on, feel free to ask.
